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nixluva
Posts: 56258
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 10/5/2004
Member: #758
USA
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I loved all the little comments from the prospects. They all seemed to have a good handle on the politically right thing to say about wanting to play here. It was enjoyable and refreshing to read that stuff. To think that we can have one of these guys even picking this late is a good feeling.
Quality Quartet of Prospects Visit Knicks
by Tom Kertes
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ, June 7, 2007 -- How often do you get a quartet of this caliber into the same NBA Draft workout? How about practically never: “This was excellent,” enthused Nets GM Ed Stefanski after Thursday's joint Knicks-Nets workout. “It’s a shame we couldn’t let the fans in to watch something like this. Four very high quality players, four potential first-round picks.”
“And maybe you can even take the word ‘potential’ out of there.”
To make the “Finest Four” even more interesting, 6-6 Rice guard Morris Almond has often been mentioned as a likely choice for the New York Knicks with the 23d pick. Ditto Duke’s Josh McRoberts for the Nets with the17th. Meanwhile Glen “Big Baby” Davis is one of the most unusual talents in the country -- and the fourth guy, versatile USC guard-forward Nick Young, only owns the best lottery potential of all of them.
“I try to do it all,” smiled Young who excels in the nowadays rare mid-range game and really knows how to get his own shot. “I’m a real student of the game in all areas of the court. I watch players like Kobe, D. Wade, and Michael Jordan -- players who really know how to play the game -- and study what they do, hard.”
McRoberts is a power guy with innate aggression, the type both teams currently need, “though I like to play both inside and out,” he said. “Whatever is necessary, whatever my team asks me to do, I feel I’m capable of doing.“
“I’ve known Isiah Thomas ever since he’s been in Indiana,” added the intense 6-10 power source. “Great guy. He said I did well today. I’d love to be another one of the young talents he’s gathered on the Knicks. I think they are a team that’s about to break out. And I’d love to help them do it.”
The 6-8 Big Baby, who displayed absolutely awesome quickness, leaping ability, and overall athletic skills at a beyond-burly 320 pounds a year ago, now weighs in circa 280. “I’m still Big Baby,” he assured everyone within ear-sight with a big smile. “Just a smaller version. I lost all the weight to be the best player I can be. I feel even quicker. My vertical’s higher. It was actually weird at first. I had to get used to jumping higher and being quicker. But it all came together real fast.”
”I’m a better player now. Whatever team picks me, they’ll know right away they got someone who has a passion to play and a passion to win,’’ added Davis. “Fans can sense that passion in me. Also, I’m a mismatch guy. You put a ‘three’ on me, I’ll post up. Put a big guy on me, I’ll go around him.”
“Yeah, I talked to Isiah today,” smiled Davis. “About life. The popcorn business. Not so much about basketball.”
Almond’s thinking not just about basketball these days, but basketball New York Style. ‘’Sure, I’m aware of what people are writing,” he said. “It would be so-o-o-o exciting. Hey, it’s the Mecca -- and I know I’d be a good fit, playing off of Eddy Curry, playing off of a Number One option to space the floor and make things easier for everybody to win.”
A good fit? The pure-shooting Almond (26.4 ppg, on 48.3 per cent shooting from the floor, including a ridiculous 45.6 per cent on treys) even LOOKS like Allan Houston. “I get that every day,” he laughs. “A career like his, that wouldn’t be bad. To be honest, he IS the best comparison to my game in terms of shooting ability and size.’’
On the other hand, Nick Young has the… “Initials, dude,” he laughs. “They’re NY! Tell me I wouldn’t be the perfect fit! You know I would be.”
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6/7/2007 5:24 PM
